Director of county drug, alcohol program pleads guilty to theft

BLOOMSBURG - The former director of Northumberland County's drug and alcohol treatment program pleaded guilty to felony theft of more than $12,000 in county money.

Samuel R. Williamson, 60, of 289 W. Main St., Turbotville, pleaded guilty to theft and conflict of interest charges in Columbia County Court Monday.

The charges came in the wake of charges by the state attorney general's office last fall that Williamson had diverted more than $12,000 in cash payments that should have been funneled to the treasurer's office, according to Nils Frederiksen, spokesman for the state attorney general's office.

In addition to diverting funds, Williamson also failed to disclose that he was using his position with the county to approve contracts with a firm he worked for, according to Kate Keasler, secretary of Columbia County District Attorney Gary Norton.

There's no word yet on how much prison time Williamson is facing, according to Keasler and Frederiksen.

There'll be a pre-sentencing investigation, where Williamson's past record is taken into consideration, as well as the offense gravity score.

"We're talking felony charges, but in reality, there's any possible number of sentences," Frederiksen said.

The actual prison term is in the hands of Judge Thomas James, Frederiksen said.

"There is no stipulated sentence (from the attorney general's office.) Our stipulation was full restitution," the AG spokesman said.

Williamson agreed to pay $18,344 in restitution by the time of sentencing, according to Frederiksen. That money includes cash Williamson shouldn't have been paid. Sentencing will most likely be in the next 60 to 90 days. According to Columbia County Court, Williamson will either be sentenced on April 13 or May 27.